Middlesbrough keeper Mark Crossley is in talks over a new contract at the Riverside, despite the bitter disappointment of losing his place in the first team.

The 32-year-old former Nottingham Forest number one was stunned to be dropped in favour of the fit-again Mark Schwarzer for the FA Cup fifth-round clash with Blackburn earlier this month.

And he admits disappointment turned to fury following a run of nine clean sheets in 16 consecutive appearances while the Australian international was away on World Cup qualifying duty and then sidelined by injury.

But Crossley is vowing to do all he can to oust Schwarzer - and that could mean signing a fresh deal with the Teesside club despite interest from elsewhere.

"First I was shocked. Then it was anger. Now I just feel you've got to accept it and get on with things and wait for your next chance.

"I'm in talks with Middlesbrough and I would be quite happy to stay here. I've built up a good relationship with the crowd now. I really appreciate the support they have given me."

Indeed, it is partly the support of fans who felt the keeper had done more than enough to retain his place which kept Crossley going.

"I've listened to the phone-ins and read the letters to the website and everything and the support I've had has been brilliant," he said.

"When you've got the fans on your side like that, it's difficult to move away from the club.

"It was the same at Forest. I had a great relationship with the crowd and I found it hard to walk away.